The book Across Five Aprils is about a boy named Jethro who lives on a farm in Jasper County, Illinois during the Civil War.
Jethro works hard every day. As he works on the farm, he learns to live a life of virtue. Even when things around him are scary or confusing, he stays calm and keeps going.
It is easy for me to resonate with this story because I also grew up on a farm in Jasper County, Illinois. The story of Jethro brings back vivid images of places I have been and grew up around, as well as strong memories of the farm life—the daily cycle of chores, the seasonal patterns of planting and harvesting, and an appreciation for the joy that can be found in simple things.
My personal connection aside, Jethro’s story is not great just because of the big events happening in the world around him. His story is great because he does ordinary things with compassion, with mercy, and with love.
Today, the Church celebrates another farmer. Today is an optional memorial for Saint Isidore!
Saint Isidore was a farmer who loved God very much. He worked hard in the fields every day, and he talked to God while he worked. Like Jethro, he found meaning in his daily work.
Every morning, Saint Isidore went to Mass before he started working in the field. Some people complained that he came to work late. But Isidore said that God had to come first in his life.
One morning, the owner of the farm went to check on Isidore. Of course, isidore was not there because he was at Mass. However, what the owner saw astonished him. The owner of the farm saw angels doing Isidore’s work in the field!
Another the owner stopped by the field, he saw Isidore hard at work as expected. But, Isidore was not alone. The owner saw angels working right next to Isidore.
Saint Isidore was also very kind and generous. He shared the grain he harvested with animals and other people. Even when he gave a lot of the grain he harvested away, he always had enough to give the owner of the farm more than the amount of grain he owed. In fact, Saint Isidore was always able to give the owner of the farm more grain than the other workers of the field.
Both Jethro and Saint Isidore teach us something important: you do not have to be famous or have a lot of things to be great. You are great by putting God first and by doing small ordinary things with love.
Here are three ways you can be like Saint Isidore:
As I siad, put God first. Pray every day. Before you do any work, particularly if it is work you do not want to do, say a quick prayer and ask God to help you.
Next, always do your best. Even if something feels boring, hard, seems like something beneath you, try your hardest and do it with care. Do it for God.
Finally, be kind and share. Help be active in the ministries of the parish, prepare a meal for someone in need, or at least simply say something nice to someone.
A big part of Jethro’s story takes place on the “road to Newton”. Newton is the largest town in Jasper County.
Today, this road is a narrow gravel road that I have been on several times….a narrow gravel road that was bypassed by the highway system and is essentially ignored by the world. From a certain perspective, we can say Jethro takes the narrow path to Newton.
Saint Isidore also followed a narrow path. The narrow path of the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. It is a narrow path that is also ignored by the world, but it is the narrow path that leads us to a life close to God and to our ultimate happiness. This narrow path includes the Mass and the Sacraments. This narrow path may not always look exciting, but it is the narrow path that is walked by saints as well as angels. It is the narrow path that teaches us to live a life where God is King of all the earth.
Thanks be to God!
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